Disney Songwriter Richard Sherman to engage in a 'musical conversation'

December 4, 2015

In A Spoonful of Sherman, a January 16 appearance at the University of Redlands, Richard Sherman will share stories of his years working with Walt Disney.

Richard Sherman and his brother Robert are responsible for the music of a generation, co-writing songs from such Disney movie classics as “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Aristocats,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “It’s a Small World (After All).”

“It will be a lot of fun to spend some time with young people who have the same aspirations as I did when I first started out,” said Richard Sherman of the upcoming event. “I hope that my story will encourage these kids to keep believing in their talent, keep doing what they're doing and continue to believe that they'll get a break.”

The brothers wrote more than 200 songs for 27 films and more than 20 television productions. Their music is also part of the Disney theme parks around the world, including “It’s a Small World,” which debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair and is still played at the parks today.

The pair won many awards, including two Oscars—for “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from “Mary Poppins” and for the film’s score—and were winners of three Grammy Awards. They were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and share a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, their life stories were told in the documentary film The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story. In 2012, Robert Sherman died at age 86.

“We are thrilled to invite anyone who has ever loved a Sherman Brothers song—whether it be in a Disney theme park, at a movie theater, on television, or on Broadway— to join us,” said Marilyn Magness, Disney creative director and University of Redlands alumna, who will host this once-in-a-lifetime event.

A Spoonful of Sherman will take place on January 16 at 7:30 p.m in the Memorial ChapelGeneral public $25, Town & Gown members $20, Students $10. Available online or at the Event Services ticket window in Hunsaker Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.